Design and manufacturing of a fully automated thermoforming machine for the production of confectionary boxes

Subject Areas : Journal of Simulation and Analysis of Novel Technologies in Mechanical Engineering

Mahmood Bizhani ¹ , Mostafa Pirmoradian ^{2 *} , Reza Abedinzadeh ³

1 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran
2 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran
3 - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran

Received: 2024-07-21 Accepted : 2024-11-12 Published : 2025-04-13

Keywords: Hyperplastic, Thickness distribution, Thermoforming, Viscoelastic,

Abstract :

Thermoforming, a method in which thermoplastic sheets are heated and reshaped to generate the desired output, has found widespread use in the packaging industry and the manufacture of disposable containers. The main problem in this process is predicting the thickness distribution of the final product without using trial and error methods. In this research, by considering the material model as a hyper–viscoelastic combination and also presenting a comprehensive model of the heating and forming stages, as well as conducting experimental tests and studying the behavior of HIPS and PVC polymers during the thermoforming process, an attempt is made to conduct a comprehensive study and learning about the thermoforming process. The design and construction stages of the fully automatic thermoforming machine for the production of plastic boxes for sweets are presented. The results show that the parts produced with a masculine mold have thinner walls than the bottom of the container. While this is completely reversed for the female form. Another thing that was discovered during the experimental tests was that by reheating the shaped container, the shape changes are completely reversed and the piece returns to its original state. This issue indicates the dominance of the hyperelastic behavior of the material. Furthermore, suitable thickness distribution in production components suggests that a good material model was chosen and that the process was executed properly.

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